Bloomington Farmers' Market

 

 

     The Bloomington Farmers' Market is an open aired setting where people of all ages come to purchase locally grown produce, a variety of baked goods and handcrafted items, as well as listen to music. The environment of this venue is far different than that of the typical super market. The inviting atmosphere is intriguing to say the least. As one approaches a stand filled to the brim with veggies and fruits, he is welcomed by the farmer himself. The beautiful part of purchasing this locally grown produce is being able to ask the vender any questions one has about his product. That fact, itself, does not stand true when it comes to shopping at a Krogers or Walmart.

   Walking through the grounds of Showers Common, one cannot deny the beauty of the liveliness the Farmers' Market has to offer. I, for one, truly was able to appreciate nature's bounty as I walked through and by different venders of all types. One goes through aisles and is instantly comforted by the welcoming smile on each vender's face. Consumers walk through crowds of people carrying bags of produce while holding hands of small children. They walk past couples and families standing and indulging themselves with the music featured in that area while munching on pastries.

   To the side of the baked goods area, pointed out on the map above, there were political and community involvement tables. Some ranged from sign ups to volunteer, to promoting their party of choice. This area lacked the excitement found at other locations around the market. It seemed most consumers flocked towards the music and food. It almost seemed as if the music and food existed as a setting where the community could all unite as one. People are able to put their political and personal views aside for the day and partake in the beauty of live music and appreciation for the people who grow the food we all eat, whether we are white, black, Asian, Hispanic, or Indian.

    Musicians varied from larger groups to a one man band. Majority of the groups consisted of two people, though. There were African Tribal drums being played, "Can't You See" by The Marshall Tucker Band being covered by a man on an acoustic guitar, a bluegrass group performing in the middle of it all, a young group of two teenage boys playing, and there was even a man playing the ukulele who had a parrot with him. This vast variety of genres being played invited cultures of all types to come and listen, or even participate. Watching the African tribal drums play, you start to see the participatory aspect of little kids joining in on the dancing and playing, with some moms even following in as well.

     Though not all shoppers are participating in music making or dancing, the market itself definitely holds the participatory aspect similar to that of the participatory aspects of music. Here, consumers and producers come to be of benefit to each other and work together. Producers want to please their shoppers with fresh products, original pieces of art, or tasty treats. Consumers purchase faithfully from these venders, trusting in the making of their product there existed hard work and effort to keep it nutritious. Every one participates in some way, whether it be by purchasing a bag of peaches, selling one's product of hard work, or just tipping a performer two bucks. The social structure of everyone's acts benefiting the event as a whole, and the experiences being shared with one another while doing this makes the Farmers' Market a participatory event.